2 captains finalists for Hudson chief

HUDSON – Anyone who chooses a career in law enforcement accepts that the hours and challenges extend beyond the realm of 9 to 5.

What they don’t tell young recruits is that one day they may find themselves being interviewed for a promotion well past 10 p.m. in the board of selectmen’s offices.

That’s exactly what happened Tuesday to Hudson police Capts. Donald Breault and Jason Lavoie, the two second-highest ranked officers in the department and the two finalists for chief’s job.

After Police Chief Richard Gendron announced he would be retiring at the end of the year, five members of the town’s police department applied for the department’s top job.

Interviews with all five candidates took place last week. On Tuesday, the board of selectmen interviewed Breault and Lavoie in a nonpublic session following the regular meeting of the board.

Selectmen are likely to announce their decision on or before their next meeting, which is Dec. 23.

The interviews followed two other hiring discussions, and while selectmen deliberated, the two captains, dressed in suits and ties, waited in a small anteroom outside the boardroom.

The police captains, who began their police careers as patrolmen in Hudson, have spent plenty of time together during their careers. Through the years, they responded to domestic calls, DWIs and calls to search buildings.

Breault joined the force in 1989 after graduating from the University of Massachusetts Lowell with a degree in criminal justice and completing his training at the New Hampshire Police Academy.

Lavoie became a Hudson police officer in 1991, following graduation from Plymouth State College, where he majored in business and psychology and minored in economics.

He said he decided to pursue a law-enforcement career after a ridealong with a Hudson officer.

“I knew I wanted to do that,” Lavoie said. “I asked him if I should change my major, but he said, ‘No. They’ll teach you what you need to know at the academy.’ ”

The two finalists were promoted through the ranks from patrolmen to lieutenants to captains.

Indeed, when a selectman called Breault to have the first interview, explaining that he was being called first because his last name begins with “B,” Lavoie offered a warm, “good luck” to his colleague.

Breault’s “thanks” was similarly heartfelt.

The town needs to appoint a new chief before Dec. 31, when Gendron, who has been chief for18 years, retires.

Gendron joined the Hudson Police Department in 1979 as a patrolman and became acting chief in 1990.

The search for a new chief has been a high profile event, given the process: interviews by a citizens committee and a committee of public safety professionals, followed by Tuesday night’s finalist interviews.

Throughout the process, town officials stressed that they were dealing with known quantities, quality town police officers who were familiar to their prospective employer.

“They’re all qualified, and we want to make sure we continue that,” town administrator Steve Malizia said Tuesday afternoon. “It pays to be careful.”

Indeed, the selection of a police chief is serious business, even when officials are familiar with the candidates. Under state law, a police chief’s job is strictly protected to ensure that politics don’t get in the way of law enforcement.

If a community becomes displeased with its police chief, it must undergo an involved legal process to break a contract. In some communities, such cases can take years in court to be resolved.

Hudson isn’t likely to fall into this trap, given the relationships between the town and the candidates, all longtime members of the town’s police force.

In addition to Breault and Lavoie, the candidates included Lt. Bill Avery, a 15-year department veteran; Lt. David Bianchi, a 12-year member of the department; and Lt. Robert Tousignant, who has spent 27 years on the force.

Two committees, appointed by the selectmen, interviewed the candidates last week.

A citizens committee included Schools Superintendent Randy Bell, Middle School Assistant Principal Keith Bowen, zoning board member Michael Pitre, and two residents, Steve Flaherty, general manager of Sam’s Club, and Charlie O’Donaghue.

A second committee, made up of public safety professionals from across the state, including the Hudson fire chief, also interviewed the five candidates. Members of the professional committee included retired and working police chiefs.

Candidates were asked how they would deal with budgets, technology, and crime. Specifically, each was asked what he would bring to the community if he was chosen to head the department.

Committee members praised Chief Gendron, and Malizia, the town administrator, had high praise for the candidates.

“We know these people. They’ve grown up and worked and trained here,” Malizia said. “I think the town is very fortunate to have this many candidates.”

Hattie Bernstein can be reached at 673-3100, ext. 24, or hbernstein@cabinet.com.

The two finalists were promoted through the ranks from patrolmen to lieutenants to captains.

Indeed, when a selectman called Breault to have the first interview, explaining that he was being called first because his last name begins with “B,” Lavoie offered a warm, “good luck” to his colleague.

Breault’s “thanks” was similarly heartfelt.

The town needs to appoint a new chief before Dec. 31, when Gendron, who has been chief for18 years, retires.

Gendron joined the Hudson Police Department in 1979 as a patrolman and became acting chief in 1990.

The search for a new chief has been a high profile event, given the process: interviews by a citizens committee and a committee of public safety professionals, followed by Tuesday night’s finalist interviews.

Throughout the process, town officials stressed that they were dealing with known quantities, quality town police officers who were familiar to their prospective employer.

“They’re all qualified, and we want to make sure we continue that,” town administrator Steve Malizia said Tuesday afternoon. “It pays to be careful.”

Indeed, the selection of a police chief is serious business, even when officials are familiar with the candidates. Under state law, a police chief’s job is strictly protected to ensure that politics don’t get in the way of law enforcement.

If a community becomes displeased with its police chief, it must undergo an involved legal process to break a contract. In some communities, such cases can take years in court to be resolved.

Hudson isn’t likely to fall into this trap, given the relationships between the town and the candidates, all longtime members of the town’s police force.

In addition to Breault and Lavoie, the candidates included Lt. Bill Avery, a 15-year department veteran; Lt. David Bianchi, a 12-year member of the department; and Lt. Robert Tousignant, who has spent 27 years on the force.

Two committees, appointed by the selectmen, interviewed the candidates last week.

A citizens committee included Schools Superintendent Randy Bell, Middle School Assistant Principal Keith Bowen, zoning board member Michael Pitre, and two residents, Steve Flaherty, general manager of Sam’s Club, and Charlie O’Donaghue.

A second committee, made up of public safety professionals from across the state, including the Hudson fire chief, also interviewed the five candidates. Members of the professional committee included retired and working police chiefs.

Candidates were asked how they would deal with budgets, technology, and crime. Specifically, each was asked what he would bring to the community if he was chosen to head the department.

Committee members praised Chief Gendron, and Malizia, the town administrator, had high praise for the candidates.

“We know these people. They’ve grown up and worked and trained here,” Malizia said. “I think the town is very fortunate to have this many candidates.”

Hattie Bernstein can be reached at 673-3100, ext. 24, or hbernstein@cabinet.com.